When you think of wintry manicures, the regular offenders likely come to mind: snowy whites, Christmas reds, maybe even New Year’s Eve champagne shimmers. While that’s good and well, we nail-obsessed beauty editors held up a magnifying glass to the micro-trends overtaking our social feeds, and celebrity manicurists confirmed our findings: Cool people’s nails are combining dark romance and soft elements this season.
“Winter 2025 is all about elevated simplicity with a touch of mood,” says celebrity nail artist Julie Kandalec. “Think of it as a reset from all the bright, bold summer shades—we’re going deep, moody, and textural,” she adds. While this changing of the color guard might seem traditional, celebrities are proving that the nail art trends of seasons past are still influencing our masterful manicures. From Hailey Bieber’s recent velvet snowflake tips—a cross between glazed donut and icy velvet nails—to Lucy Boynton’s midnight moon manicure, trendsetters prove that contrast is king this winter.
For specific shades, Kandalec says that deep hues “like midnight blue, black cherry, and berry wine” are making a frigid splash—but if you want to zoom out on this season’s manicure trends, we’ve got you covered. Ahead, 10 winter 2025 nail trends that are undeniably chic.
Soft Square
If there’s one thing we know for certain, it’s that “soft square” nails, or square-shaped tips with subtly rounded edges, are all the rage right now. This style is especially chic when paired with sheer nude or pink hues, which look extra elegant around the holidays. In fact, this silhouette is right up there with almond-shaped nails—a staple within the last few years. “The short almond and soft square will dominate [in 2025],” Kandalec swears. “They’re classic, flattering, and practical for colder months when nails can be more prone to breakage.”
Shop the Trend
Explore More:
